(Montreal– March 27, 2015) Legal counsel for Ms. Rania El-Alloul, the Montreal woman who was asked to remove her headscarf by a Court of Quebec judge, has filed a motion seeking clarity about the rights of citizens to access the courts while wearing religious clothing.

The motion names the Attorney-General of Quebec as well as the Conseil de la Magistrature du Quebec and makes a request for a declaration that would clarify “that [Ms. El-Alloul] has the right to appear and be heard in the Court of Quebec while wearing her hijab” and that “a judge of the Court of Quebec cannot refuse access to justice on the basis of religious attire.”

“This is an essential point of human rights law in both Canada and Quebec; the purpose is to make certain that no one need fear being rejected by a court on religious grounds,” says Mr. Grey.

“I am grateful to Mr. Julius Grey and Mr. Mathieu Bouchard for taking this case because it is the right thing to do for all of society; the legal actions they are taking are meant to help protect all of our rights and freedoms, not just my own,” said Ms. El-Alloul in a statement read earlier this afternoon at a press conference in Montreal. Her full statement can be found here.

“This case is clearly important for all Canadians in ensuring that our cherished rights and freedoms are upheld and protected now, and for future generations,” says Amira Elghawaby, human rights coordinator at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). The NCCM is supporting Ms. El-Alloul’s case and has started a fund to help cover legal expenses.

“Canadians from various religious backgrounds, including members of the Muslim, Jewish and Sikh faiths, have long since appeared in Canadian courtrooms as litigants, lawyers, and judges. This tradition of tolerance and acceptance is part of Canada’s long and proud history of pluralism and helps to strengthen our country,” says Ms. Elghawaby.

A summary of events surrounding the case can be found here. For a copy of the motion, please contact info[a]nccm.ca.